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The Little Maid of Israel. 


BY 


Emma Howard Wight. 

«* 




ST. LOUIS, MO. 1900. 
Published by B. HERDER, 
17 South Broadway. 

1 


Library of Conyrre3» 

Two Copies Heceived 

AUG 13 1900 

Copyright entry 

30j co 

No 

SECOND copy. 

Delivered tc 

ORDBi DIVISION, 

AUG 22 1900 



n c o o ^ 

Kj> < V » j» O / 


Copyright, 1900, by Jos. Gummersbach. 






-BECKTOLD- 

PRINTING AND BOOK MFG. CO. 
ST. LOUIS, MO. 


-THE;, LITTLE MAID OF ISRAEL, 

' BY EMMA HOWARD WIGHT. 

Chapter I. 

In the Land of Israel, not a great 
distance from the city of Samaria, 
dwelt Ezra with his wife, Sarah, and 
their two children, Isaac and Leah. 
The sun was sinking behind the hills 
as Ezra and Sarah sat before the door 
of their humble dwelling resting after 
the labors of the day. On a couch in 
the doorway reclined a youth with a 
pale, sickly face and emaciated limbs. 
Isaac, the eldest-born of Ezra and 
Sarah, had been a cripple from birth. 
His eyes, dull and languid from cons- 
tant pain, tired and sad, were fixed 
eagerly upon the wide white road 
stretching away in the distance until 
it was lost among the hills. 

( 3 ) 


4 The Little Maid of Israel. 

At length, with an impatient sigh, 
he turned his pale, wan face towards 
his mother and said : 

“See, mother, the sun has nearly 
set; why tarry eth L,eah so long? ‘Twas 
but sunrise when she did set out for 
Samaria, surely she should have re- 
turned ere this.” 

“Thou dost forget, my son, that 
thy sister had much to do in Samaria,” 
replied Sarah, soothingly. “First to 
dispose of the fruits and then to pur- 
chase necessities for our household; 
also the ass of our neighbor being old 
and stiff, can travel but slowly.” 

“All that thou urgeth be true, 
mother,” exclaimed the lad, petul- 
antly. “But my sister has ever 
the same tasks, still she always re- 
turned from Samaria before the setting 
of the sun. I fear that some ill hath 
befallen her,” and his lip quivered 
with pain while his large, soft eyes 
dilated with fear. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 5 

“How now, lad! why dost thou 
frighten thy mother with thy sickly 
fancies?” cried Ezra, impatiently, as 
Sarah’s cheek grew pale. “What ill 
could have befallen thy sister?” 

“She may have fallen into the hands 
of the Syrians, whom thou knoweth 
do make raids into our country and 
carry off captives,” answered the lad, 
tremulously. “Oh, if I were only as 
other lads these burdens should not 
fall upon the weak shoulders of a 
maiden. ’Twould be I who would 
journey into Samaria with the fruits,” 
and tears of bitter pain and humili- 
ation filled his eyes. 

Sarah leaned forward and gently 
smoothed back the dark, curling hair 
from his white brow. 

“Speak not thus, my son,” she 
murmured, with infinite, tenderness. 
“Thy mother loveth thee but the 
more tenderly because of thy afflic- 


6 The Little Maid of Israel . 

tion, and well dost thou know how 
thy sister’s heart yearneth over thee.” 

A faint smile touched the lad’s pale 
lips. 

‘‘Ah, mother,” he said, “it is wicked 
of me to repine at my affliction when 
thou and my sister, keah, do love me 
so well. But, oh, mother, if I were 
but strong and whole,” and, covering 
his face with his hands, he sobbed 
aloud. 

“kook up, lad, and dry thy tears, 
for yonder cometh our keah,” cried 
Ezra. 

With an exclamation of joy, Isaac 
obeyed, and, lifting himself eagerly 
upon his elbow, watched with joyous 
eyes, the slow approach of an ass 
upon which was seated a maiden. 

Ezra went forward and lifted her to 
the ground. 

“keah! sister! thou art come at 
last!” cried Isaac. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 7 

She ran to the couch and bent over 
him; his weak arms clasped her neck, 
his eyes looked lovingly into her face. 

The brother and sister had the same 
fine-cut features and beautiful, soft, 
dark eyes, but the lad’s face was white 
and wan, while the rich bloom of 
health colored the cheeks and lips of 
the maiden. Her dark hair, curly 
and silken, fell to her waist; she was 
slenderly built, but erect, graceful and 
quick of movement. 

“Why didst thou tarry so long, my 
child?” asked Sarah. “Thy brother 
has sorely fretted, fearing that some 
ill had befallen thee.” 

“I am sorry that thou didst fret, 
brother,” said the maiden, bending to 
kiss his pale brow. 

“Hadst thou trouble in disposing of 
the fruits, maiden?” asked Ezra. 

“No, dear father,” replied L,eah, 
turning towards him with a smile. 


8 The Little Maid of Israel . 

“I was but a little while selling the 
fruits and making the purchases for 
my mother. ” 

“Then it was the slowness of our 
neighbor’s ass which did delay thee,” 
said Ezra. 

“I will tell thee, father, why I did 
tarry so long in Samaria, ” said the 
maiden. “They were talking in 
Samaria of the wonders wrought by 
the prophet, Elisha, and I lingered 
to listen. ’Twas of his last miracle 
that they did speak. Father, mother, 
brother, knoweth thou that the pro- 
phet, Elisha, hath power to raise the 
dead to life?” 

She paused and turned her eyes 
upon the helpless form of the cripple 
lad while the color deepened upon her 
cheek and her breath came quickly. 
Isaac spoke not, but, as his eyes met 
his sister’s, they lighted with passion- 
ate eagerness and a long, panting sigh 
left his lips. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 9 

“What sayeth thou, maiden, that 
the prophet, Elisha, hath power to 
raise the dead to life?” cried Ezra, 
wonderingly and incredulously. 

“Yes, father,” answered Leah. 
“Listen, and I will tell to thee what I 
heard in Samaria. There is a woman 
in Shunem who didst bear to her hus- 
band in his old age a son. This 
woman, who is charitable and good, 
is well known to Elisha. Indeed she 
had prepared a chamber for him in 
her home where he did rest and take 
refreshment when he travelled on foot 
from place to place. One morning, 
when the woman’s child was but five 
years of age, he went into the field 
where his father was gathering in the 
harvest, and, there, he suddenly sick- 
ened from the heat of the sun. They 
carried him to his mother, she held 
him in her arms and, after some 
hours, he died. She took him up to 


io lire Little Maid of Israel. 

the little chamber where the prophet 
had rested and laid him upon the bed. 
Then, commanding the servant to 
saddle an ass, she set out to seek 
Elisha who was at Mount Carmel. 

“Elisha, standing upon the sum- 
mit, near the altar of Jehovah, saw 
her a-far off, for he sent his servant 
to inquire if all were well with her. 
But the woman would herself speak 
with the prophet, and, falling at his 
feet, did tell him that her son was 
dead. Elisha then returned with the 
woman to Shunem and shut himself 
into the room with the dead child. 
After a little while he called his ser- 
vant and told him to summon the 
mother, and, when she did come into 
the room, Elisha said to her, ‘Take 
up thy child,’ and the child was risen 
from the dead.” 

The little maid ceased speaking, 
and throwing herself on her knees 


II 


The Little Maid of Israel . 

beside the couch, put her arms gently 
about Isaac’s frail form. 

‘‘Sister,” murmured the lad, touch- 
ing tenderly with his thin fingers the 
curling hair which fell upon her 
shoulders, “I know the thoughts in 
thy tender heart. Thou art thinking 
that if this great prophet hath power 
to raise the dead to life, then also 
hath he the power to make strong and 
straight these poor limbs of mine. 
Tell me, dear sister, are not these thy 
thoughts?” 

“Yes! ah, indeed, yes!” cried the 
maiden, in a voice of passionate ten- 
derness and yearning. “But I did 
not wish thee to know what was in 
my heart until I had spoken with our 
parents.” 

She arose and turned towards Ezra 
and Sarah. Both regarded her in 
silence; Ezra, pale and grave, Sarah, 
with tears in her eyes. 


i2 The Little Maid of Israel. 

“Father, wilt thou give me leave to 
seek the prophet, Elisha, who dwel- 
leth in Samaria that I may beg of 
him to heal my brother?” asked the 
maiden. 

“Dost thou believe, maiden, that 
the wonderful things they relate of 
this Elisha be true?” asked Ezra. 

Into the maiden’s soft eyes there 
crept a troubled look. 

“Oh, dear father speak not thus,” 
she cried, imploringly. “Surely thou 
knoweth that unless we have faith, 
nothing will be granted unto ns. Why 
shouldst thou or I doubt the wonders 
imputed to Elisha, for is he not a holy 
man of God?” 

“Thou art only a maiden, but thou 
speaketh words of widsom which do 
rebuke thy father,” said Ezra. “Tell 
me, my son,” turning to Isaac, “dost 
thou also believe that this man, Elisha, 
hath power to heal thee, who art from 
thy birth a cripple?” 


The Little Maid of Israel . 13 

The lad looked, smiling, up into 
liis father’s face. 

“Yes, father, I do indeed believe 
that Elisha hath power to heal me,” 
he replied. “Even though he had 
not raised the dead to life still would 
my faith in him be great, for, as Eeah 
sayeth, he be a holy man of God.” 

Ezra moved forward and laid his 
hand on the maiden’s dark head. 

‘ ‘Thy brother also hath great faith,” 
he said. “Thou shalt seek Elisha in 
Samaria and make known to him thy 
desire.” 

Eeah caught her father’s hand and 
raised it to her lips. 

“I thank thee, my father,” she 
murmured. 

“Dost thou think that Elisha will 
harken to thy request?” asked Ezra. 

“I am sure that he will, for Elisha 
never turneth a deaf ear to the sorrow- 
ful and the afflicted,” answered Eeah. 


14 The Little Maid of Israel . 

“Father, when may I journey to 
Samaria and seek the prophet ?” 

“Nay, nay, have patience, mai- 
den,’ ? said Ezra. “We will talk of 
that later, now ‘tis time to prepare 
the evening meal. Assist thy mother, 
while I go forth and feed our neigh- 
bor’s ass.” 

He turned away. 

The sun had set, but a faint flush 
of crimson still lingered in the west. 
The ass stood patiently, with droop- 
ing head. 

A light flashed out from the low 
doorway. Ezra, as he fed and watered 
the tired beast, could see his wife and 
daughter moving about within; also 
the form of the cripple lad stretched 
upon the couch. Would that wan 
cheek ever glow with health? mused 
Ezra. That weak body be upright 
and sturdy, those helpless limbs strong 
and straight? 


The Little Maid of Israel. 15 

“From bis birth hath he been a 
cripple, sickly and helpless, ” mur- 
mured Ezra. “But surely this man 
who hath power even to raise the 
dead to life can heal a cripple lad.” 

“Father! father!” 

Eeah stood in the doorway, her 
cheeks the color of roses, the night 
breeze lifting her heavy curls, her soft 
eyes gazing forth into the gathering 
shadows. 

“Come, dear father, the evening 
meal is ready,” she said. 

The day’s tasks were done. Isaac, 
exhausted with the emotions and ex- 
citement of the day, slept heavily 
upon his couch. Ezra and Sarah sat 
in the doorway and the little maid 
lay upon the ground at their feet, 
with her curly head resting against 
her mother’s knee. 

‘ ‘Art thou fatigued with thy journey, 
maiden?” asked Sarah, touching ca- 
ressingly Eeah’s rose-flushed cheek. 


1 6 The Little Maid of Israel. 

“Fatigued !” repeated the maiden, 
with a smile. “No, dear mother, thy 
Leah is young and strong; ’tis only 
the poor old ass that is weary.” 

Ezra sat buried in thought. Now 
and again the little maid glanced 
wistfully up into his face. She longed 
passionately to learn when it was his 
will for her to seek the prophet in 
Samaria, but it never occurred to her 
to question her father or manifest any 
signs of impatience. 

A silence fell upon the three. Sarah 
thought that the little maid had fallen 
asleep, so still she lay, but, as Ezra 
suddenly roused himself and spoke, 
Leah, sat upright, her eyes eagerly 
seeking his face across which the light 
from within fell. 

“Maiden,” said Ezra, “I have been 
considering the matter of thy seek- 
ing the prophet, Elisha, in Samaria. 
When ten days have passed the fruits 


The Little Maid of Israel. 17 

will again have ripened; then will I 
borrow the ass of our neighbor and 
thou shalt journey to Samaria. When 
thou hast sold thy fruits thou canst 
seek the prophet, Elisha.” 

Eeah’s eyes filled with tears, her 
lips quivered, she was bitterly dis- 
appointed. To wait ten days when she 
hoped and longed to start with the 
coming dawn for Samaria. 

“Thou didst hear me, maiden?” 
said Ezra, as she did not speak. 

“Yes, my father,” she replied, as 
she wiped away her tears. “’Tis thy 
will that I again journey to Samaria 
when ten days shall have passed.” 

“Such is my will,’ 7 said Ezra. 

The little maid laid her head again 
upon her mother’s lap and looked, 
with longing, wistful eyes, into the 
darkness towards Samaria. 


Chapter II. 


“Sister, how many days have passed 
since thou didst return from Samaria?’’ 
asked Isaac, as Leah, her morning’s 
work completed, seated herself beside 
his couch. 

“Five, brother,” replied the little 
maid. “So but five more remain and 
then I shall again journey to Samaria. ’ ’ 

The lad sighed deeply. 

“Every day that dawns is long and 
dreary to me,” he said; “but these 
last five days have seemed indeed the 
longest and dreariest of all my life. 
Leah, sometimes during the long, 
pain-racked hours of the night, my 
heart hath risen in bitterness against 
my father that he so long delayeth 
thy journey to Samaria.” 

(18) 


The Little Maid of Israel. 19 

“Nay, dear brother, speak not 
thus,” said the little maid, gently. 
“Our father knoweth best.” 

“But, Leah,” cried the lad, his eyes 
lighting eagerly, a faint flush staining 
the pallor of his cheek, “if our father 
had permitted thee to journey at once 
to Samaria, perhaps, when the fruits 
were ripe it would have been I who 
didst carry them to Samaria. ” 

“Be patient a little longer, dear 
brother, ” said Leah. “And promise 
me that thou wilt not again cherish 
bitter thoughts against our father,” 
she added, earnestly. 

“I promise thee, sister,” answered 
the lad. “Poor father, ‘tis a heavy 
burden upon him that his eldest-born 
and only son should be a cripple ; 
that while he toileth I lie here help- 
less, unable to give him a helping 
hand, to lighten his labor. But, oh, 
Leah, sister, how happy I shall be 


20 The Little Maid of Israel . 

when the prophet, Elisha, hath made 
me whole. How proudly shall I labor 
by my father’s side ; and thou shalt 
journey no more to Samaria ; thou 
shalt stay at our mother’s side while 
I carry the fruits to the city and 
purchase necessities for our house- 
hold. Sister ! Sister ! what did the 
woman of Shunem when Elisha raised 
her child from the dead ?” 

“She fell in gratitude at the feet of 
Elisha,” answered the little maid. 

“I shall also fall in gratitude at the 
feet of Elisha when he hath made me 
whole,” said Isaac. 

“Thou must not forget to offer up 
prayers of gratitude to the great Je- 
hovah from whom cometh the power 
of Elisha,” said Eeah, gently. 

Ezra was at work in the fields when 
he saw his wife, Sarah, approaching. 

“What seeketh thou, Sarah?” he 
asked, as she drew near. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 21 

“I would speak with thee, Ezra,” 
replied Sarah. 

“Of what wouldst thou speak, 
Sarah, that thou seeketh me in the 
fields at my labor?” asked Ezra. 
“Canst thou not wait until the day’s 
toil be ended ?” 

“Nay, or I would not seek thee 
at thy labor,” answered Sarah. “I 
would not speak with thee of this be- 
fore our children lest they think 
that thy wife hold but lightly her 
husband’s judgment. Ezra, the hearts 
of our children are sad that thou 
delay eth the maiden’s journey to 
Samaria.” 

“Our children be young and 
knoweth not patience,” said Ezra. 

“Nay, Ezra, our son and eldest- 
born hath never known youth,” 
sadly answered Sarah. “Youth is 
sturdy of body, light of limb, joyous 
of heart. Isaac knoweth naught of 


22 The Little Maid of Israel. 

these things. Impatient, sayeth thou, 
Ezra? Ay, and thou also would be 
impatient, even with the years of 
wisdom upon thy shoulders, if thou 
wert crippled from birth, and when 
the light of hope shone, for the first 
time, across thy dark pathway, thou 
wert bidden to wait.” 

“’Tis but a few days until the 
fruits shall have ripened,” muttered 
Ezra 

“Ay, thou art right,” said Sarah, 
“’tis but a few days, but a little while 
ago I did hear our son say that the 
five days of waiting had been the 
longest and dreariest of a life in 
which every day is long and dreary.” 

“Thou art but a woman, Sarah, 
and the softness of thy heart doth 
steal away thy wisdom,” said Ezra. 

“’Tis not so much the woman’s 
heart as the mother’s that doth plead 
with thee, Ezra,” replied Sarah, the 
tears filling her eyes. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 23 

u Go back to thy children and thy 
work, woman,” commanded Ezra. 
“And when the day’s toil be ended 
we will speak of this again.” 

Sarah turned obediently away, but 
her heart was light, for her husband 
had not said her nay. 


“Come hither, maiden,” said Ezra. 

The evening meal was over and 
the night shadows were falling. Leah 
arose from beside her father’s couch 
and approached Ezra. 

“Little maid,” said Ezra, “maketh 
thyself ready, for to-morrow, at the 
dawning of the day, our neighbor 
will bring his ass and thou shalt set 
forth for Samaria.” 

The maiden’s lips parted eagerly 
with surprise and joy. The lad, lifted 
himself upon his elbow, and gazed 
upon his father with radiant eyes. 

“But, father, the fruits are not yet 
ripe,” faltered Leah. 


24 The Little Maid oj Israel . 

“That is true,” replied Ezra. “But 
we shall not wait until the fruits have 
ripened. Art thou not eager, maiden, 
to seek the prophet, Elisha, in Samaria 
that thou mayest beg of him to heal 
thy brother?” 

“Yes, yes, dear father,” cried the 
little maid, with shining eyes and 
flushing cheeks. 

“Then make ready to start upon 
thy journey at the dawn of day,” said 
Ezra. 

“I shall be ready, dear father,” 
replied Eeah. 

She turned and went back to her 
brother’s couch. She knelt down be- 
side him and slipped her hand in his. 
He lifted the little hand to his lips 
and kissed it reverently and tenderly. 

When in the gray dawn of the early 
morning Eeali entered Isaac’s cham- 
ber she found him sleeping. She 
pressed a kiss upon his brow and 
stole softly out again. 


The Little Maid of Israel . 25 

‘‘Thou didst find thy brother sleep- 
ing,” said Sarah. “He passed a night 
of pain and restlessness and now 
sleepeth from exhaustion. But it will 
fret him not to have bidden thee 
farewell.” 

“’Tis well that he is resting after 
his night of pain,” said Leah. “Tell 
him, dear mother, that I kissed him 
as he slept.” 

“Come, maiden,” called Ezra from 
without. 

‘ 1 Fare - thee - well , dear mother, ’ ’ 
murmured the little maid. 

Sarah kissed tenderly the sweet, 
upturned face. 

“Fare- thee- well, my child,” she 
said, tremulously. “God be with 
thee.” 

Then the little maid passed through 
the doorway and out into the gray- 
ness of the breaking day. Ezra lifted 
her upon the ass’s back and she turned 
her face towards Samaria. 


26 The Little Maid of Israel . 

When Isaac awoke he called his 
mother to him and said : 

“Mother, has my sister started for 
Samaria?” 

“Yes, my son,” replied Sarah. 

His lips quivered. 

“Why didst thou not awaken me, 
mother, that I might bid my sister 
farewell ?” he said. 

“Thou wert resting, my son, after 
thy night of pain,” answered Sarah. 
“Thy sister would not have thee 
awakened, but bid me say to thee 
that she kissed thee as thou slept. 
See,” pointing to a golden gleam of 
sunlight which forced itself through 
the window and lay athwart the bed, 
“’tis the first ray of the rising sun ; 
ere it sets thy sister will be again 
with thee.” 

And the lad lay gazing, with a smile 
upon his lips, at the shaft of golden 
light. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 27 

Ezra labored all day in the fields. 
The sun was sinking low in the heav- 
ens when he saw approaching the 
neighbor whose ass he had borrowed. 

“Good - evening, neighbor,” said 
Ezra. ‘‘Thou art come too soon for 
thy ass; the maiden hath not yet 
returned.” 

“I come not for the ass, neighbor,” 
replied the man, whose name was 
Simeon. “I bring thee ill tidings.” 

“What meaneth thou, neighbor?” 
asked Ezra. 

“Ill hath befallen thy little maid,” 
was the reply. 

“Ill hath befallen my little maid,” 
repeated Ezra, bewilderedly. “Speak, 
man, what ill ?” 

“She has been taken captive by 
the Syrians,” answered Simeon. 

“How knoweth thou this?” asked 
Ezra. 

“I will tell thee,” said his neigh- 


28 The Little Maid of Israel . 

bor. “But a little while ago a stranger 
did come to my house mounted upon 
my own ass. ‘Be this beast thine?’ 
he did ask me. Much astonished I 
replied that the ass were mine. 
‘And the maiden who rode it, was she 
thy daughter ?’ asked the stranger. 
I replied that she was not my daughter, 
but the little maid of my neighbor, 
Ezra. Then the stranger said to me, 
‘Go to thy neighbor Ezra and tell him 
that his little maid hath been taken 
captive by the Syrians; that she will 
be carried to Damascus and sold into 
slavery.’ * 

“‘It doth appear,’ continued Si- 
meon, as Ezra stood pale and speech- 
less, “that this man was traveling on 
foot from Samaria when he saw ap- 
proaching from the direction of Da- 
mascus, a company of Syrians. They 
were evidently bent upon plunder, and 
the man, fearing that they would take 


The Little Maicl of Israel. 29 

him captive, did hide himself. While 
in hiding he saw the Syrians fall in 
with a little maid mounted upon an 
ass. The maiden they did take cap- 
tive, leaving the ass which is old and 
slow. Whdn the Syrians had departed 
with the little maid, the stranger came 
forth and mounted the ass, turning its 
face in the direction from whence it 
came. And the ass returned home. 
It is with sorrow in my heart, neigh- 
bor, that I bring thee ill tidings of thy 
little maid.” 

“Ay, ill tidings indeed !” murmured 
Ezra, his head sunk in sorrow upon 
his breast. “The hand of the Eord 
hath fallen heavily upon me and 
mine. How shall I tell the lad, for 
whose sake she did journey towards 
Samaria, of the ill that hath befallen 
his sister ? Alas ! alas ! our little maid 
captured by the Syrians! sold into 
slavery !” and Ezra rent his garments 
and wept bitterly. 


Chapter III. 


Naaman, commander-in-chief of the 
Syrian Army, was passing through the 
streets of Damascus in a magnificent 
chariot drawn by four snow-white 
horses. He was a man of great height 
and superb physique; he wore a robe of 
royal purple. But upon the proud 
face there rested a heavy shadow, and 
the dark, flashing eyes, which had 
looked death in the face unflinchingly 
so many times upon the battle-field, 
now drooped under the pitying and 
curious glances bent upon him. 

A sigh of intense relief heaved his 
mighty chest when the chariot stopped 
before the gates of a stately palace. 
He stepped from the chariot and 
passed within. 


(30) 


The Little Maid of Israel. 31 

“Say to thy mistress that I desire 
her presence,’’ he said to a servant, 
and then passed on to a splendid 
chamber. 

With his arms clasped across his 
breast he paced restlessly up and down 
the vast length of the chamber. 

“Ah,” he murmured, “Naaman, 
whom all Syria doth call a mighty 
man of valor, knoweth fear for the first 
time. My hand doth tremble like a 
woman’s, my limbs are weak. Never 
have her sweet eyes looked into mine 
save with tenderness, but now — alas ! 
alas ! that Naaman should be so 
accursed.” 

The heavy silken draperies of the 
doorway were put aside and a woman 
entered the chamber. She was very 
beautiful with skin of dazzling fair- 
ness and hair of wondrous gold color. 
She was clad in rich garments of 
white, embroidered with gold. 


32 The Little Maid of Israel. 

“Naaman, my husband,” she 
murmured, tenderly. 

At the sound of her sweet voice 
Naaman started, turned, moved to- 
wards her and then abruptly paused. 

4 ‘Thou didst desire my presence, 
my lord,” she continued, falteringly, 
for his face was white and stern, and 
she remembered how of late he had 
appeared so cold and changed. As he 
did not speak, she added, “I fear that 
some trouble doth sore oppress thee. 
For some time I have noted the pallor 
on thy cheek, the shadow on thy 
brow. I longed to know thy trouble 
that I might comfort thee, but thou 
art ever silent. Wilt thou not confide 
in me, Naaman? Surely thou knoweth 
that thy Claudia desireth not alone to 
share thy riches and thy honors, but 
thy sorrows also,” and, moving to his 
side, she laid her beautiful white hand 
upon his arm. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 33 

He started back, thrusting her al- 
most roughly aside. 

“Touch me not, woman !” he cried; 
“for I am — unclean.” 

She stared at him, her eyes dark 
with horror, the delicate bloom fading 
from cheeks and lips. He shuddered 
and covered his face with his hands. 

“Naaman, what meaneth thou?” 
she asked. “My husband, speak.” 

His hands fell, he turned and faced 
her. 

“Claudia,” he said, “this morning, 
as I passed through the streets of Da- 
mascus, glances of pity and loathing 
were cast upon me, until, I, Naaman, 
did bow my head in shame. I have 
riches, fame and honor, but the very 
beggars in the streets do pity me for 
I am a — leper. ’ * 

She shrank back with a faint cry. 

“Ay, ’tis true,” he continued, bit- 
terly. “All Damascus doth know 


34 The Little Maul of Israel. 

what I have feared to tell to thee 
because I love thee; because I did fear 
to read in thy sweet eyes the horror and 
the loathing with which all regard 
me. The leper is accursed, unclean, 
whom many loathe, all pity, but none 
may love.” 

“Nay, thou art wrong,” murmured 
Claudia, tenderly. “Thy wife doth 
love thee, ay, but the more tenderly 
because of thy affliction.” 

Into Naaman ’s haggard eyes there 
flashed a look of joy. 

“Then Naaman careth not for the 
pitying and loathing of all Syria since 
Claudia still loveth him,” he cried. 


Claudia, wife of Naaman, was wan- 
dering listlessly through the beautiful 
grounds which surrounded the palace. 
Her lovely face was pale, her eyes 
full of sadness. She rarely went be- 
yond the grounds of the palace, shrink- 


The Little Maid of Israel. 35 

in g from the compassionate glances 
bent upon her, and the murmurs 
which too often reached her ears: 

“See ! ’ tis Claudia, the wife of Naa- 
man, the leper.” 

Suddenly through the gates of the 
palace there came a little maid. She 
was poorly-clad, but, as she drew near, 
her sweet face attracted the attention 
of Claudia. 

“Who art thou, little one?” she 
asked. 

“I am Leah, a slave,” replied 
the little maid, while her dark head 
drooped in shame. 

“A slave!” repeated Claudia. 
“Cometh thou not from the land of 
Israel?” she asked. 

“Yes, M replied Leah. “I was cap- 
tured by a company of Syrians while 
on my way to Samaria, brought to 
Damascus and placed in the slave 
market where I was bought by Euca- 


36 The Little Maid of Israel. 

deus, a wine-merchant. ’Tis he who 
hath sent me to the palace of Naaman 
where he selleth his wine.” 

4 ‘Captured and sold into slavery — ’tis 
a hard fate for one so young,” mur- 
mured Claudia, musingly. “Knowetli 
thou who I am, maiden ?” 

“I know not who thou art,” replied 
the little maid, with a smile. “But I 
see that thou art very beautiful, and 
my heart doth tell me that thou art 
good. Thou art also a great lady, for 
thou weareth rich garments and rare 
jewels.” 

Claudia smiled. 

“Thy answer doth please me, little 
maid; thou hath an apt tongue,” she 
said. “I am Claudia, wife of Naa- 
man.” 

The soft, dark eyes of the little 
maid were lifted to Claudia’s face 
with a swift look of compassion. For 
a moment Claudia shrank back and 
was silent. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 37 

“AH,” she thought, “even this 
slave-girl knoweth that Naaman is a 
leper and doth pity Naaman’s wife. 
Wouldst thou like to enter my ser- 
vice, maiden ?” she asked. “If so, no 
doubt, thou canst be bought of thy 
master, Eucadeus.” 

Eeah’s eyes lighted with rapture. 

“Ay, lady, glad indeed would I be 
to enter thy service, ” she replied. 
“I am sure thou couldst buy me of 
Eucadeus, for he loveth gold above 
all things.’’ 

“Then I shall send my chief 
steward to Eucadeus,” said Claudia. 
“Now, hasten, maiden, to do thy 
errand, lest thy master chide thee 
for tarrying. ’ ’ 

Claudia returned to the palace and, 
summoning her chief steward, said 
to him : 

“Seek thou the wine - merchant, 
Eucadeus, and say to him that Clau- 


38 The Little Maid of Israel. 

dia, wife of Naaman, would purchase 
of him Leah, the little Israelite 
maid, upon whom he may set his 
own price. ” 

The chief steward accordingly went 
to do his mistress’ bidding. 

Eucadeus, a hard, cruel, grasping 
fellow, who put upon the little maid 
tasks far beyond her strength, was at 
first unwilling to part with his slave. 
But, upon learning that it was Clau- 
dia, wife of Naaman, who desired to 
purchase her, and that he might name 
his own price, he quickly changed his 
mind and bargained with the chief 
steward for a price just double that 
which he had paid for the maiden. 

The chief steward, though much 
disgusted with the old man’s avarice 
and extortion, handed over the pieces 
of gold which he named as his price 
for the maiden and returned to the 
palace bringing Leah with him. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 39 

Claudia appointed Leah her own 
hand-maiden and soon became very 
much attached to her; Leah, in re- 
turn, devotedly loved her beautiful 
kind mistress. 

One day, after she had been some 
months in the household of Naaman, 
Leah, who had been watching wist- 
fully her mistress’ beautiful, sad face, 
said : 

4 ‘Ah, my dear mistress, how pale 
and sorrowful thou looketh. My heart 
acheth for thee; would that I could 
help thee. ’ ’ 

Claudia smiled with infinite sadness 
and laid her hand affectionately upon 
the dark, curly head of her hand- 
maiden. 

“Thou hast a tender heart, little 
one,” she said. “I am sure thou 
wouldst help me if thou couldst. But 
110 one can do that, not even the 
wisest and greatest in all Syria. ’ ’ 


40 The Little Maid of Israel. 

“But there be one in Israel who 
can help thee,” said the little maid. 

“What meaneth thou, child?” 
asked Claudia. “Dost thou know 
what doth render me so sorrowful?” 

“Yes, dear mistress,” replied the 
little maid, “’tis because Naaman, 
thy husband, whom thou dost dearly 
love, art a leper.” 

“Ay, most true,” murmured Clau- 
dia, with a deep sigh. “Therefore, 
maiden, why sayeth thou that there 
be one in the land of Israel who can 
help me ? Surely thou dost know that 
no one can heal the leper. ’ ’ 

“Listen, dear mistress,” said Leah. 
“The prophet, Elisha, who is in Sa- 
maria, can heal my lord, thy husband, 
for he hath done most wonderful things 
even to the raising of the dead to life.” 

Claudia listened with breathless 
eagerness and attention. 

“Thou art but a maiden and a 


The Little Maid of Israel. 41 

slave, ” she said?, “but I shall give 
heed to thy words and repeat them 
to Naaman, my husband. Go tell 
thy master that I would speak with 
him.” 

When Naaman entered his wife’s 
presence she turned to meet him with 
a look in her beautiful eyes that he 
had not seen there in many months. 

“Thy little hand-maiden didst tell 
me that thou desireth my presence,” 
he said. 

“Yes,” replied Claudia. “Oh, 
Naaman, my husband! this little 
maid of Israel hath told me most 
wonderful things. She claimeth that 
in Samaria there is a prophet called 
Elisha who hath power to heal thee 
of thy leprosy. Oh, my husband, 
thou must at once seek this man.” 

“I must first seek counsel of the 
king,” said Naaman. 

“Then go at once and tell to the 


42 The Little Maid of Israel. 

king what the maiden sayeth,” cried 
Claudia, and Naaman went from her 
presence to seek that of Benhadad, 
king of Syria. 


Chapter IV. 


“What is thy will with me, good 
Naaman?” asked Benhadad, king of 
Syria, with whom the Syrian general 
stood high in favor. 

“I am come to seek counsel of 
thee, my lord,” replied Naaman. 
“My wife hath a maid-servant who 
cometh from the land of Israel, and 
this maiden sayeth that in Samaria 
there is a prophet called Elisha, who 
hath done most marvelous things even 
to the raising of the dead to life. The 
maiden claimeth that if I seek the 
prophet, Elisha, he will heal me of 
my leprosy. What thinketh thou, my 
lord? dost thou believe that which 
the maiden sayeth be true ?” 

“I have never heard of this Elisha,” 

( 43 ) 


44 The Little Maid of Israel . 

replied Benhadad. “He is no doubt a 
magician, and, if wliat the maiden 
sayeth be true, his power far exceedeth 
that of any magician at my court. 
Thou shalt journey to Samaria, my 
Naaman, bearing a letter from me 
to Jehoram, king of Israel. This 
Elisha is perhaps attached to the 
court of Jehoram, but, if not, the 
king hath power to make his subjects 
do his bidding. Take with thee gold 
in plenty to reward this Elisha.” 

Naaman kissed the hand of the 
king and went forth from his pres- 
ence. Upon the day following his 
interview with Benhadad, Naaman, 
in great pomp and splendor, set forth 
upon his journey to Samaria. He 
carried with him ten talents of silver, 
six thousand pieces of gold (about 
sixty thousand dollars ) and ten 
changes of costly raiment with which 
to reward Elisha. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 45 

The first blush of the rising sun lay 
upon the city of Damascus as the 
magnificent caravan of Naaman passed 
through its gates. Naaman and his 
retinue journeyed over the uplands of 
Bashan, through the valley of Jordan, 
and upon the fifth day stood before 
the gates of Samaria. 

Then Naaman, ordering the cara- 
van to halt, called one of his servants 
to him and said : 

“Send ahead a messenger to Je- 
horam, king of Israel, announcing 
that Naaman, the great Syrian gen- 
eral, art approaching with his retinue 
and desireth audience with him.” 

A fair-haired lad, robed in scarlet 
and mounted upon a jet-black horse of 
wonderful swiftness, bore Naaman’s 
message to the king. So when the 
caravan reached the palace, Jehoram 
was waiting to receive Naaman. 

Tall and lithe of form, straight of 


46 The Little Maul of Israel . 

feature was the Israelite king. The 
long hair, bound by the jeweled crown, 
was black as the raven’s wing. There 
was a flush upon his dark brow and 
a troubled look in his eyes as Naaman 
entered his presence. 

“Thou art Naaman, general in the 
Syrian Army,” he said, “and thou 
seeketh speech with me ? ’ ’ 

“Yes, I am Naaman,” replied the 
Syrian, as he bent his proud head 
before Israel’s dark king. “I have 
journeyed from Damascus, bearing 
this letter from Benhadad, king of all 
Syria to Jehoram, king of Israel,” 
and taking the parchment from his 
breast, he presented it to Jehoram. 

The latter read the letter and his 
face turned white. Lifting his eyes, 
angry and disturbed, he fixed them 
upon Naaman. 

“Thou art a leper ?” he said, while 
a look of loathing passed over his face. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 47 

A dark red flush of shame and hu- 
miliation rose to Naaman’s proud brow. 
“Yes, my lord, I am a leper, ” he 
replied. 

The king fell into deep thought, 
his brows drawn together in a frown. 

Naaman, standing at the foot of the 
throne in torturing suspense, noted 
that the king was greatly disturbed. 
His thin lips were unsteady, the long, 
slim fingers, which held the golden 
sceptre, trembled. 

At length, the king roused himself, 
and, turning his eyes again upon Naa- 
man, he asked : 

“Knoweth thou the contents of this 
letter ?” 

“Yes, my lord,” replied Naaman. 

“I must have time to consider this 
request of Benhadad,” continued the 
king. Naaman’s face paled. He had 
not anticipated any hesitation on the 
part of Jehorain to grant the wish of 


48 The Little Maid of Israel. 

Benhadad, knowing how unwise it 
would be for political reasons for Je- 
horam thus to act. If the king of 
Israel noted Naaman’s disturbance he 
gave no sign of it. 

“Seek me to-morrow at this time,” 
he said, “and thou shalt have my 
answer to the letter of thy king.” 

As soon as Naaman had departed 
Jehoram summoned the counselors 
and wise men of his kingdom and 
thus addressed them : 

“Benhadad, king of Syria, seeketh 
a quarrel with me. He maketh a re- 
quest which he knoweth it be impos- 
sible for me to grant. I fear that he 
doth this for the purpose of provoking 
war as his father, Benhadad i, before 
him, did with my father, Ahab.” 

“My lord, what meaneth thou ?” 
anxiously inquired one of the wise 
men of the kingdom. 

“The king hath sent to me Naa- 


The Little Mcdd of Israel. 49 

man, the great Syrian general, with a 
letter which I will read to thee,” re- 
plied the king. i u Now when this let- 
ter is come unto thee, behold I send 
herewith Naaman, my servant, that 
thou mayest cure him of his leprosy.’ 
Seeth thou how he seeketh a quarrel 
with me?” cried the king, as he 
rent his garments. “Am I God 
to kill and give life that Benliadad 
sendeth to me a man to be cured of 
his leprosy ?” 

The wise men and the counselors 
of the kingdom looked silently and 
apprehensively into one another’s faces, 
for they knew not what to say to the 
king. 

“It doth appear that Benhadad 
mocks me,” said the king, “for well 
he knoweth that no man hath the 
power to heal the leper. ’ ’ 

“My lord, what answer hast thou 
given to Naaman who brought to thee 


50 The Little Maid of Israel. 

the king’s letter?” asked one of the 
wise men. 

“I have given him as yet no an- 
swer,” replied Jehoram. “I did 
send him away, bidding him return 
to-morrow. In the meanwhile, I have 
summoned thee, my counselors and 
wise men, that we may confer to- 
gether.” 

“Thinketh thou, my lord, that this 
Naaman, who cometh in such pomp 
and splendor to Samaria, be in truth 
a leper ?” asked one of the counselors. 

“Truly I know not,” answered the 
king. “But when I didst ask him if 
he were a leper, his face flushed with 
shame and he replied, ‘Yes, I am a 
leper.’ He is a man of magnificent 
form and stately bearing, he is evi- 
dently of great wealth and high in 
favor with Benhadad, Syria’s king. 
He is also a soldier and a man of 
valor. But why waste we time in 
discussing this Syrian. L,et us rather 


The Little Maid of Israel. 51 

take counsel as to what answer we 
shall send to his king.” 

“My lord, what answer canst thou 
send to Benhadad, king of Syria, save 
that thou art not God and, therefore, 
hath not the power to heal the leper?” 
asked one of the wise men. 

The king frowned. 

“Thus would I do as Benhadad 
wisheth — give him pretext to make 
war upon me,” he cried, impatiently. 
“Thou speaketh with scant wisdom, 
Mahab. Benhadad knoweth well that 
it be not in the power of man to heal 
the leper. But I would temporize with 
him, not thus openly give him pretext 
to make war upon Israel.” 

At that moment one of the king’s 
servants entered and said : 

“My lord, a servant of the prophet, 
Elisha, is without and desireth speech 
with thee.” 

“He must seek me later,” cried the 
king, impatiently. “Iam engaged at 


52 The Little Maid of Israel. 

present with the counselors and wise 
men of my kingdom upon a matter of 
grave import.” 

“Pardon thy servant, my lord,” 
pesisted the servant, “but this man bid 
me say that his master hath sent him 
to speak words of counsel that neither 
the wise men nor the counselors of 
thy kingdom could give unto thee.” 

The king started. 

“Ah!” he exclaimed, “now Ido 
remember that this Elisha be a great 
prophet and a holy man of God. Go, 
bring hither his servant.” 

The servant withdrew, returning in 
few moments with a man simply clad 
and grave of mien. 

“My lord,” he said to Jehoraup 
“my master, Elisha, the prophet, 
bade me seek thee and say, ‘Why hast 
thou rent thy garments ? Sendetli to 
me this Naaman of Syria that he may 
know there is a prophet in Israel.’ ” 


Chapter V. 


At the appointed time, upon the 
day following, Naaman again presented 
himself before Jehoram, king of Israel. 

The latter had assembled about him 
his courtiers, counselors and wise men. 
He appeared no longer troubled nor 
disturbed. He looked with serene 
eyes upon Naaman, into which, how- 
ever, there flashed a look of loathing 
as he remembered that the man before 
him was a leper. 

The courtiers, counselors and wise 
men of the Kingdom also looked with 
aversion upon Naaman, notwithstand- 
ing the nobility of his form, his hand- 
some, proud face and the magnificence 
of his raiment, for in Israel the leper is 
an object of intense aversion, and, had 

(53) 


54 The Little Maid of Israel . 

Naaman been an Israelite, he would 
have been banished in spite of his 
rank, wealth and the services he had 
rendered to his country. 

The king of Israel and those of his 
court were deeply incensed that Ben- 
hadad, king of Syria, had sent into 
their midst, to the person of the king 
himself, a man afflicted with leprosy. 

Naaman stood, with folded arms 
and grave face, waiting for the king 
to speak. 

For some moments Jehoram was 
silent, pondering the wisest and most 
judicious manner of making known to 
Naaman his wish regarding him. The 
king was perfectly sure that Elisha 
would extricate him from his difficulty, 
for had not the prophet bade his ser- 
vant say, ‘Why hast thou rent thy gar- 
ments?* which meant literally, ‘Why 
art thou troubled and of so little 
faith ?’ 


The Little Maid of Israel. 55 

But the king, laboring under an er- 
roneous idea as to Benhadad’s motive 
in sending Naaman to him, wished so 
to act as to leave Benhadad no pretext 
for making war upon him. Benhadad 
had in reality desired to be compli- 
mentary in the wording of his letter in 
order to propitiate Jehoram, so that the 
latter would command Elisha to heal 
Naaman. 

“Naaman of Syria,” said Jehoram, 
“I did promise thee an answer to 
the letter of thy king. Go thou to the 
house in Samaria of the prophet, Elis- 
ha, and say unto him, ‘I am Naaman 
of Syria, a leper, who hast come to thee 
to be made whole. * Then will Elisha 
heal thee of thy leprosy.” 

“My lord, I know not where dwel- 
leth this Elisha,” said Naaman. 

“I will send a servant to guide 
thee,” said the king. 

So Naaman entered his chariot, and 


56 The Little Maid of Israel . 

with all his retinue, started for the 
home of the prophet. The king’s 
servant led the way on foot. The 
magnificent caravan passed through 
the streets of Samaria, wound among 
the hills and stopped before a small 
and lowly dwelling. 

Lifting himself from among his 
silken cushions, Naaman called impa- 
tiently to one of his servants; 

4 ‘Why hast the caravan come thus 
to a halt?” 

“At the command of the king’s 
servant, my lord,” was the reply. 

“Send to me the king’s servant,” 
cried Naaman, angrily. 

In a few moments the servant of the 
king stood beside the chariot. 

“Why hast thou thus stopped the 
caravan of Naaman?” asked the Syri- 
an nobleman, angrily. 

“My lord, I am but fulfilling, the 
orders of the king, my master,” was 
the reply. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 57 

“Thou speaketh falsely,” cried 
Naaman, with increasing anger. “Thy 
master didst command thee to conduct 
me to the house of Elisha, the 
prophet.” 

“My lord, I have obeyed the order of 
my master,” said the servant. “This 
is the house of Elisha, the prophet.” 

“ ’Tis impossible!” cried Naaman, 
incredulously. “A great man like 
Elisha must surely dwell in a palace. 
This is the abode of a man, humble, 
obscure; Elisha is rich and famous.” 

The king’s servant regarded Naa- 
man wonderingly. 

“Pardon me, my lord, but thou 
dost know little regarding the prophet 
Elisha,” he said. “ ’Tis true that his 
fame hath gone forth over the land, 
but Elisha hath not riches ; he is a 
man, poor and humble ; he dwelleth 
not in a palace, this is his home.” 

Naaman, perplexed and wondering, 


58 The Little Maid of Israel . 

waved the servant of the king impa- 
tiently aside and summoning one of 
his own servants, said to him : 

“Go thou into the house of Elisha 
and say to him that Naaman, general 
in the Syrian Army, high in favor 
with Benhadad, king of Syria, doth 
desire speech with him.” 

The servant passed into the house 
of Elisha. In a short while he came 
forth alone. 

“Is not the prophet, Elisha, with- 
in?” asked Naaman, impatiently. 

“Yes, my lord, ’ ’ was the answer, ‘ ‘but 
I saw him not. The servant of Elisha 
did carry the message to his master. ’ ’ 

“And what answer sendeth Elisha?” 
asked Naaman, with eagerness. 

“Elisha desireth to know, my lord, 
what is thy will with him,” replied 
the servant. 

Naaman’ s brow darkened with dis- 
pleasure. 


The Little Maid of Israel . 59 

“Is it thus that the great and rich 
Naaman of Syria is received by the 
poor and humble Elisha?” he cried. 
Then, remembering the errand upon 
which he had come, he controlled his 
indignation, thinking, “I must humor 
this man if I would have my will of 
him : Go thou again into the house of 
Elisha,” he said, “and bid the servant 
say to his master, that Naaman 
of Syria hath journeyed from Damas- 
cus that Elisha may heal him of his 
leprosy.” 

The servant turned away and passed 
into the house. In a few minutes he 
returned with the servant of Elisha 
who, approaching Naaman, said : 

“My master, Elisha sayeth unto 
Naaman of Syria, ‘Go thou and bathe 
seven times in the Jordan and thy 
flesh shalt recover health and thou 
shalt be clean.’ ” 

“Dost thy master mean to mock me 


60 The Little Maid of Israel. 

that he treateth me as though I were 
but a common outcast leper?” cried 
Naaman. “I did think that he 
would have come out to see me, and, 
touching with his hand the place of 
the leprosy, would have invoked the 
name of Jehovah, his God, and healed 
me. Go wash seven times in the 
Jordan? What marvelous power doth 
the Jordan possess? But enough of this 
folly. Thy master doth but speak in 
jest. Go say to him that Naaman of 
Syria came not to be mocked, but to 
be cured of his leprosy, and that he 
bringeth with him a great treasure 
with which to reward Elisha.” 

“My lord, it would avail naught 
for me to carry thy message to my 
master,” said the servant. “Elisha 
hath spoken,” and, turning, he passed 
quietly among the servants of Naaman 
and entered the lowly dwelling of his 
master. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 61 

Naaman sat for some moments in 
silence. The servant of the king 
looked up at him eagerly and seemed 
about to speak, but awed, perhaps, by 
the Syrian’s white face and sombre 
eyes, remained silent. 

At length, Naaman roused himself, 
sprang to his feet, and drawing his 
splendid form to its full height, cried 
in a loud voice : 

“Back to Damascus ! Naaman hath 
but come upon a fool’s errand.” Then 
turning upon the servant of the king, 
he cried, in tones of great anger, “Go 
to thy master, Jehoram, king of Israel, 
and say to him that Benhadad, king 
of all Syria, will know how to avenge 
the insult that hath been offered to 
Naaman.” 

“But, my lord, the king, my master, 
didst intend thee no insult,” protested 
the servant. “The ways of Elisha are 
not like unto the ways of other men.” 


62 The Little Maid of Israel. 

“Stop not to parley with me!” cried 
Naaman, furiously. “Be gone ere I 
bid my servants drive thee hence. ” 

The servant of the king bowed his 
head and passed swiftly away. 

“Now, onward to Damascus,” said 
Naaman, throwing himself wearily 
back upon the cushions. 

At that moment, however, one of 
Naaman’s servants, a white-haired old 
man, approached the chariot and said: 

“Wilt my lord hear patiently old 
Masrekah whose hair has grown gray 
in his service and who didst serve his 
father before him?” 

“Speak, my good Masrekah,” an- 
swered Naaman. 

“My lord, thou art a mighty man 
of valor and know not the meaning of 
fear,” continued Masrekah. “If the 
prophet, Elisha, bade thee do some act 
difficult of achievement, thou wouldst 
have listened and obeyed?” 


The Little Maicl of Israel. 63 

“Ay, most willingly, ” replied Naa- 
man. 

“Then, my master, do not despise 
this thing that Elisha bid thee do 
because it is a simple thing,” said 
Masrekah. “My lord, I do not believe 
that Elisha doth intend thee mockery 
and insult. Didst thou not take heed of 
the words of the king’s servant, ‘The 
ways of Elisha are not like unto the 
ways of other men?’ Thou, my lord, 
didst expect to find him in a palace, but 
instead he dwelleth as do the poor and 
lowly. Thou didst think that he would 
heal thee with ostentatious and impres- 
sive ceremonial, but he sendeth thee 
word to go to bathe seven times in the 
Jordan and thou shalt be clean. My 
lord, despise not the bidding of Elisha. ’ ’ 

“Thou speaketh with the wisdom of 
years, my good Masrekah,” answered 
Naaman. “Naaman will give heed 
to thy words. I go to bathe seven 
times in the Jordan.” 


Chapter VI. 


Upon leaving the caravan of Naa- 
man, the servant of the king returned 
to the palace and sought his master. 

“What tidings dost thou bring ?” 
asked Jehoram. “Hath Elisha healed 
Naaman of his leprosy?” 

“No, my lord,” replied the servant, 
“and I bring to thee a message from 
Naaman who is greatly incensed,” 
and he repeated to the king Naaman ’s 
message. 

Jehoram’ s face grew pale. 

The servant then proceeded to relate 
how Elisha had received Naaman and 
what he had bid him do. 

“What meaneth Elisha?” cried Je- 
horam, in fear and anger. “Does he 
not know that he will bring destruction 
upon Israel ?” 


(64) 


The Little Maid of Israel. 65 

“I did say unto Naaman of Syria 
that the ways of Elisha, the prophet, 
were not like unto the ways of other 
men,” said the servant. “But Naa- 
man would not give heed to my words, 
he angrily bade me be gone.” 

“Go, mount the fleetest horse in my 
possession and make haste to the house 
of Elisha,” commanded the king. 
“Say to him that if Naaman of Syria 
returneth in anger to Damascus, Ben- 
hadad, king of all Syria, will at once 
declare war upon Israel, Say to Elisha 
that Jehoram his king, doth command 
him to heal Naaman of his leprosy 
lest destruction come upon Israel.” 

“But, my lord, pardon thy servant 
for reminding thee that Naaman of 
Syria refused to do the bidding of 
Elisha , ” said the servant . 1 ‘ He believ- 
eth that Elisha does but mock him.” 

“Ah, this worshipper of a false god 
understandeth not the ways of a 


66 The Little Maid of Israel. 

prophet of the true God of Israel ,” 
cried the king, scornfully. “But be 
that as it may Naaman must not return 
unhealed and in anger to Damascus. 
So go thou with all speed and deliver 
my message to Elisha. The caravan 
of Naaman cannot have preceeded far; 
thou canst still overtake it after thou 
hast seen Elisha. Eose not a moment; 
go!” 

After the departure of his servant 
Jehoram shut himself up alone in his 
chamber. He sought not the counsel 
of the wise men of his kingdom ; he 
knew that no one could extricate him 
from threatened disaster save Elisha. 

Impatiently the king tossed aside 
the jeweled crown which rested so 
heavily upon his aching brows. 

“Ah, can all the glory of a king 
compensate for the cares that lie so 
heavily upon him? Jehoram, king of 
all Israel, often envyeth the humblest 
of his subjects. ” 


The Little Maid of Israel. 67 

Time passed and the king, restless 
with suspense, consumed with anxiety, 
awaited the coming of his servant. At 
length, the servant returned. 

“Speak; what tidings dost thou 
bring?” cried the king. 

“My lord,” replied the servant, “I 
did hasten, as thou commanded, to 
the house of Elisha. His servant ad- 
mitted me to the presence of the 
prophet and I delivered to him thy 
message. Elisha heard me in silence, 
then he spoke. ‘Jehoram, king of 
Israel, hath but little faith/ he said. 
‘Go to thy master and say unto him 
that Naaman will return to Damascus 
healed of his leprosy.’ ” 

A long sigh of relief broke from the 
lips of the king. 

“Elisha be a prophet and a holy 
man of God,” he said, “therefore, will 
I believe his words and have faith in 
him.” 


Chapter VII. 


A hour before sunset, upon the day 
following his departure from Damas- 
cus, the caravan of Naaman reached 
the banks of the Jordan. The Jordan 
was very different from the beautiful 
Syrian rivers, Abaha and Pharpar. 
Its waters, muddy and discolored, 
flowed sluggishly between unshaded 
banks covered with coarse grass and 
rank weeds. 

Naaman descended from his chariot 
and advanced to the banks of the river. 
He stood, for some moments, frown- 
ingly regarding the discolored water 
as it crept to his feet, then he threw 
aside his purple robe, disclosing upon 
his broad chest awful, loathsome 
sores. He stepped into the water. 

( 68 ) 


The Little Maid of Israel . 69 

In a few minutes he stood again 
upon the bank. His great muscular 
arms were crossed upon his breast, a 
gray pallor lay upon his face. 

4 ‘ I have done the bidding of Elisha, ’ * 
he cried, “I have bathed seven times 
in the Jordan, but my brain doth whirl, 
my eyes are dim and blurred. Mas- 
rekah, faithful servant, ’tis for thee to 
speak — am I whole or am I still a 
leper?* ’ and he threw his arms wide 
apart. 

In silent wonder and awe the ser- 
vants of Naaman gazed upon their mas- 
ter. The loathsome, leprous spots had 
entirely disappeared, his flesh 4 ‘was 
like unto the flesh of a little child.* * 

But Naaman knew not that he was 
healed. His eyes, dim and dazed, 
were fixed upon the old servant. One 
downward glance would have told him 
all, but Naaman, soldier and mighty 
man of valor, now knew a coward’s fear. 


70 The Little Maid of Israel. 

Masrekali came forward, and falling 
at his master’s feet, covered his hands 
with kisses and tears of joy. 

‘‘Master! dearest master!” he cried, 
“thou art healed! thou art clean! 
thou art no more a leper. ’ ’ 

A great tremor shook Naaman’s 
massive limbs. He grew weak as a 
little child, his lips quivered and tears 
filled his eyes. His servants broke in- 
to shouts of joy and exultation. They 
threw themselves on their knees before 
Naaman, kissing his hands and feet. 

“Arise, my good and faithful ser- 
vants,” said Naaman. “Turn we our 
faces again towards Samaria. I go to 
seek the prophet, Elisha.” 

Masrekah laid his hand upon Naa- 
man’s arm. 

“My lord,” he said, “thou hast for- 
gotten to render thanks to Rimmon, 
god of Syria, for the great good that 
hath been done unto thee. Masrekah 


The Little Maid of Israel . 7 1 

thus presumeth to remind his lord lest 
the god, being angered, should send 
some calamity upon Naaman.” 

Naaman smiled. 

“Naaman shall not render thanks 
to Rimmon, god of Syria,” he said. 
“Nor doth Naaman fear the anger of 
Syria’s god. Nay, be not troubled, 
my good Masrekah, all will be well 
with Naaman.” 

Naaman then arrayed himself in 
his purple robe and passed on to his 
chariot. For a moment he stood gaz- 
ing upon the waters of the Jordan to 
which the crimson glow from the 
setting sun lent fleeting beauty. His 
eyes were filled with a great joy, an 
immeasurable peace. Then he stepped 
into his chariot and motioned for the 
caravan to proceed. 

It was the same hour, upon the 
next day, that the caravan of Naaman 
again stood before the humble dwel- 


72 The Little Maid of Israel. 

ling of Elisha. Naaman, calling one 
of his servants to him, said : 

“Go thou into the house of Elisha 
and say to him, ‘Naaman of Syria, 
having done thy bidding, bathed seven 
times in the Jordan, has come forth 
whole. He most earnestly desireth 
speech with thee, that he may tell to 
thee how his heart has changed, also 
give unto thee the ten talents of silver, 
six thousand pieces of gold and ten 
changes of raiment which he brought 
with him from Damascus.’ ” 

The servant passed into the house 
of the prophet. In a short time he 
returned, saying: 

“Elisha will come forth, my lord, 
and speak with thee.” 

Naaman alighted from the cnariot 
and awaited the coming of the prophet. 
After a little while a man stepped 
through the low doorway of the hum- 
ble dwelling and approached Naaman. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 73 

Tall and spare in figure, he wore a 
dark, coarse, robe, over which flowed 
a long, gray beard. His face was pale 
and worn, his eyes gentle and calm. 

Naaman sank upon his knees at 
the feet of the prophet. 

“Arise, Naaman of Syria,” said 
Elisha, in a voice of wonderful sweet- 
ness. 

Naaman pressed the coarse robe of 
the prophet to his lips ere he rose to 
his feet. Then, calling to his servants, 
he said : 

“Bring hither the treasure which 
Naaman brought with him from 
Damascus to reward Elisha. * ' 

“Nay, Naaman of Syria must take 
back with him to Damascus the treas- 
ure he did bring,” said Elisha. 
“Elisha desireth not riches nor the 
praise of men. ‘Twas not for these 
things that he didst heal Naaman of 
his leprosy.” 


74 2 he Little Maid of Israel. 

Naaman, seeing that it would be 
quite useless to endeavor to force re- 
ward upon the prophet, signed to his 
servants to leave undisturbed the 
treasure. Then, again kneeling at 
Elisha’s feet, he cried, aloud : 

“Elisha, through thee it has been 
revealed to me that there is no god in 
all the earth but only in Israel. Hence- 
forth, Naaman will offer sacrifice only 
to the true God of Israel.” 

“Peace be with thee, Naaman of 
Syria,” said the prophet, with his 
sweet, gentle smile. “’Tis indeed 
well with thee. A greater good has 
come to thee than the healing of thy 
body from the foulness of leprosy. Go 
thou in peace.” 


Chapter VIII. 


The days passed very slowly and 
wearily to Claudia, wife of Naaman, 
as she awaited in her palace home the 
return of her husband. Sometimes 
her heart was filled with hope, then, 
again, she would be plunged into the 
deepest despondency, when it seemed 
madness to believe that any man had 
power to heal the leper. 

Leah, the little maid, watched her 
mistress wistfully, tenderly. One 
morning, as she sat at Claudia’s feet, 
she looked up into her pale, beautiful 
face and said : 

1 ‘Why art thou so sad, my dear 
mistress ?” 

“Ah, maiden,” replied Claudia, 
“thou canst not understand the tor- 
tures of suspense which consume me ” 

(75) ' 


76 The Little Maid of Israel . 

‘ ‘ Suspense ! ’ ’ repeated the little 
maid. “Then thou dost doubt the 
power of Elisha to heal my lord of 
his leprosy ?” 

“ Yes, ’ ’ answered Claudia. 6 * For how 
can man be possessed of such power?” 

A smile of rare sweetness lighted up 
the face of the little maid. 

“My own dear mistress, put aside 
all thy doubts, all thy trouble, for my 
lord will return healed of his leprosy,” 
she said. 

“Child, great indeed is thy faith in 
this man, Elisha,” said Claudia. 
“Hast thou ever seen him, spoken 
with him ?” 

“No,” answered the little maid. “I 
was on my way to seek him when I 
was captured by the Syrians.” 

“What was thy purpose in seeking 
Elisha, maiden?” asked Claudia. 

Eeali’s lips quivered, her soft eyes 
filled with tears. 


The Little Maid of Israel . 77 

“In tlie land of Israel I have a 
brother who has been a cripple from 
birth,’ ’ she murmured. “I was on 
my way to Samaria to seek Elisha and 
beg of him that he heal my brother.” 

“But, child, thou art poor, how 
didst thou propose to reward Elisha for 
healing thy brother?” asked Claudia. 

The little maid looked up inquir- 
ingly. 

“What meaneth thou, dear mis- 
tress?” she asked. 

“Surely thou knoweth, maiden, 
that the magicians of the court of 
Benhadad, king of Syria, receive rich 
salaries,” replied Claudia. “But even 
they possess not the power of this 
Elisha for they cannot heal the leper. 
Therefore, Elisha must be even more 
richly rewarded than are the magi- 
cians of Benhadad’s court.” 

“Dear mistress, Elisha is no magi- 
cian, but a holy man of God,” said 


78 The Little Maid of Israel. 

the little maid. “He dwelletli not at 
the court of the king, neither does he 
receive aught in recompense for the 
good that he doeth.” 

“I — I do not understand, ” mur- 
mured Claudia, perplexedly. “Why, 
Naaman, my husband, did take with 
him to Samaria ten talents of silver, 
six thousand pieces of gold and ten 
changes of raiment with which to 
reward Elisha should he be healed of 
his leprosy.” 

Eeah smiled. 

“My lord will bring back with him 
from Damascus the ten talents of 
silver, the six thousand pieces of gold 
and the ten changes of raiment,” she 
said, “for Elisha will have none of 
them.” 

Claudia sat for some moments in 
thought. 

“Perhaps this Elisha is a seeker 
after fame, and so to win the praise of 


The Little Maid of Israel. 79 

men he uses his power for the poor as 
well as the rich,” she said, at length. 
“But I believe not that he will refuse 
the treasure which my husband carried 
with him to Samaria.” 

Leah did not answer. Claudia, after 
regarding her attentively for some 
moments, said : 

“Thou seemeth to give no heed to 
my words, maiden. Dost thou in truth 
believe that Elisha will refuse to 
receive the treasure which Naaman 
carry eth with him?” 

“I know dear mistress, that Elisha 
will refuse to accept the treasure 
which my lord carryeth with him to 
Samaria,” replied the little maid, 
firmly. “Elisha caretli not for riches 
nor the praise of men. He seeketh 
only to please and serve the Lord who 
hath given to him his great power.” 

“What manner of man is this Elisha 
who can inspire such great and un- 


80 The Little Maid of Israel. 

swerving f ait h?” mused Claudia. “Is 
the God of Israel more powerful than 
the god of Syria, for Rimmon hath 
given to no man in Syria power like 
unto that possessed by Elisha ?” she 
said aloud. 

The little maid looked up earnestly 
into her mistress’ beautiful face. 

“There is no God save the God of 
Israel,” she said. 

Claudia smiled indulgently. 

“Thou art of the land of Israel, little 
one,” she said, “and, therefore, thou 
dost believe that the God Israel wor- 
ships be the only true God. Perhaps, 
if thou dwelleth long in Syria, thou 
will learn to worship Syria’s god.” 

“No, dear lady, that could never 
be,” replied L,eah, earnestly. “I may 
see no more my people and my 
country, but I shall ever remain faith- 
ful to my God. He dwelleth not alone 
in the land of Israel, but he ruleth 


The Little Maid of Israel. 8t 

over all the earth. ’Tis He, Who 
through his prophet, will heal thy 
husband of his leprosy. ” 

“Thou speaketh idle words child,” 
said Claudia, a little impatiently. 
“The God of Israel would not bestow 
His favors upon a Syrian who does 
worship Syria’s god. But , there, 
enough of this ; let us speak of other 
things. Tell me of thy people. Hast 
thou brothers and sisters in the land 
of Israel ?” 

“I have but one brother, dear mis- 
tress,” replied Teah. 

“And this brother has been a 
cripple from birth?” gently asked 
Claudia. 

“Yes, dear mistress.” 

“And thou dost love him very 
dearly ?” 

“Ah, so dearly,” murmured the 
little maid, with quivering lips. 

“Poor child, thy young life has 


82 The Little Maid of Israel. 

known much sorrow, ” said Claudia, 
pityingly. 1 ‘And, yet, thou thinketli 
more of the sorrows of others than of 
thy own.” 

“My heart is sad at times,’ ’ said 
L,eah. “But I must not rebel against 
the will of the good God.” 

“And is this why thou dost bear so 
patiently and unmurmuringly the sor- 
rows which have darkened thy young 
life?” asked Claudia, wonderingly. 
“But the gods are wont to send afflic- 
tions upon those who offend them, 
thou canst not have offended thy God. ’ ’ 

“God, in His wisdom, doth often 
afflict those whom He loveth,” said 
L,eah. 

Claudia smiled. 

“This God of thine is a strange 
God,” she said. 


Chapter IX. 


When fourteen days had passed since 
his departure for Samaria, the caravan 
of Naaman again entered the gates of 
Damascus. 

The little maid, learning of this, 
made haste to seek her mistress. 

‘‘Dear mistress,” she said, “the 
caravan of my lord has entered the 
city and proceedeth to the palace of 
Benhadad, the king.” 

Claudia turned very white. 

“And — and what other tidings dost 
thou bring?” she faltered. “Speak, 
child ; keep me not in suspense.” 

“I bring no further tidings, my 
mistress,” answered the little maid. 

Claudia sank upon a couch, trem- 
bling and faint. L,eah knelt beside 
her and kissed her hands. 

(83) 


84 The Little Maid of Israel. 

“Why dost tliou tremble and grow 
pale, dear mistress, ” slie asked. “I 
did come to thee at once with the 
tidings of my lord’s return, thinking 
that thou wouldst rejoice and be 
happy.” 

“If I knew that he were healed then 
indeed would I rejoice,” said Claudia. 
“But if he be not healed my heart 
will be filled with sadness and sad 
indeed our meeting. ’ ’ 

“Be at peace, my lady,” said the 
little maid, earnestly. “My lord has 
returned healed of his leprosy.” 

“Thou hast indeed great faith, 
child,” said Claudia, with a faint 
smile. “But only when I hear from 
the lips of my husband that he is 
healed will I believe. But, come and 
array me, for whether Naaman 
return in sorrow or gladness I will do 
him honor.” 

The little maid hastened to put a 


The Little Maid of Israel. 85 

rich silken robe upon her mistress, 
binding back her golden hair with a 
circlet of glittering gems. 

“Come,” then said Claudia, “thou 
shalt await with me the coming of 
Naaman.” 

Upon entering Damascus, Naaman 
had at once sought the palace of the 
king. 

The latter received him most gra- 
ciously, saying : 

“What fortune did attend thy 
journey into the land of Israel, my 
good Naaman ?” 

“My lord, I return healed of my lep- 
rosy,’ ’ replied Naaman. 

“Thou cometh indeed with wonder- 
ful tidings,” exclaimed the king. 
“Marvelous is the power of this magi- 
cian of the court of Jehoram. What 
sayetli thy wife, the beautiful Claudia? 
great rejoicing must indeed be hers.” 

“She as yet knows not that I have 


86 llie Little Maid of Israel . 

returned from Samaria,” answered 
Naaman. “I did first seek the pre- 
sence of my king to make known to 
him the wonders that have been done 
unto me.” 

“Ah,” murmured Benhadad, “thou 
art ever faithful to thy country and 
thy king.” 

The proud eyes of the Syrian wa- 
vered and fell under the king’s kind 
gaze. 

“Ah,” he was thinking, “the king 
knows not that I have forsaken the 
god of my country for Jehovah Who 
ruleth over all the earth.” 

“I will detain thee no longer at pre- 
sent,” said Benhadad. “Make haste 
to the presence of thy wife with thy 
tidings of joy. Meanwhile the news 
shall go abroad over all the land that 
Naaman has returned from Samaria 
healed of his leprosy that all Syria 
may rejoice and offer sacrifice to Rim- 


The Little Maid of Israel . 87 

moil. Say to thy wife that Benhadad 
rejoices with her that Naaman has 
returned healed.’’ 

Naaman bent his head to kiss the 
hand of the king and then left the 
palace. As the chariot passed through 
the streets of Damascus shouts of re- 
joicing were heard upon every side ; 
Benhadad had already sent forth the 
tidings of the healing of Naaman. 

Claudia, awaiting the coming of her 
husband, heard the shouts and cries 
and turned very pale. 

“What means those cries?” she 
asked of the little maid. 

“My lord passes through the streets 
of Damascus and the people rejoices 
that he is healed,” answered Leah 

“Only when I hear from the lips of 
my husband that he be healed will I 
believe,” again said Claudia. 

The servants of the palace then took 
up the joyous cries ; Naaman had 
passed through the gates. 


88 The Little Maid of Israel . 

A few moments more and the em- 
broidered draperies were put aside and 
Naaman stood upon the threshold of 
the great chamber. And as she looked 
into his face Claudia knew how it was 
with him. She moved forward and 
was folded to his breast. And the 
little maid, with tears in her eyes, 
passed out of the chamber, leaving 
them alone. 

After a little while, however, she 
was summoned to the presence of Naa- 
man. Claudia, her beautiful face all 
aglow with happiness, stood by her 
husband’s side. 

“Maiden,” said Naaman, “Elisha, 
whose great powers thou didst make 
known to me, has healed me of my 
leprosy.” 

“My lord, my heart is indeed glad 
that thou hast returned healed of thy 
leprosy,” said the little maid. 

“And thou, maiden, shall be re- 


Lof C. 


The Little Maid of Israel. 89 

warded ,” continued Naaman. “Ask 
of me what thou wilt and it shall be 
granted unto thee.” 

The little maid fell upon her knees 
at his feet. 

u O, my lord,” she cried, “I would 
return to those who love me and sor- 
row for me in the dear land of Israel. 
I crave of thee but one thing, my lord 
— freedom.” 

“It is granted thee,” said Naaman. 
“Thou art no more a slave.” 

The little maid caught his hand and 
covered it with kisses. Claudia stooped 
and lifted her to her feet. 

“It grieves me to part with thee, 
little one,” she said. “But I shall be 
glad that thou art happy with those 
whom thou dost love.” 

“I shall never forget thee nor cease 
to love thee,” murmured L,eah. 

“Maiden, hast thou no further de- 
sire?” asked Naaman. 


90 The Little Maid of Israel. 

“What more could I desire, my 
lord, since thou hast given me my 
freedom ?” replied the little maid. 

“Thou art poor.” said Naaman. 
“Hast thou never craved riches ?” 

“Not for myself, my lord,” an- 
swered Leah. “But I have often 
wished that my parents were not 
forced to labor so hard.” 

“Thy parents shall labor no more,” 
said Naaman, quietly. 

“What meaneth thou, my lord?” 
murmured the little maid, bewil- 
deredly. 

“Listen to me, maiden,” continued 
Naaman. “I did carry with me to 
Samaria ten talents of silver, six thou- 
sand pieces of gold and ten changes 
of raiment with which to reward 
Elisha should he heal me of my 
leprosy.” 

Leah smiled. 

“And Elisha did refuse to accept 


The Little Maid of Israel . 91 

the treasure which thou didst carry 
with thee to Samaria, ” she said. 

“Yes,” replied Naaman, “but the 
treasure which Elisha did refuse 
shall be thine.” 



Chapter X. 


Early upon the morning following 
a servant came to Leah and said : 

“There be a lad outside the gates of 
the palace who desires speech with 
thee.” 

“A lad desires speech with me,” 
said the little maid, wonderingly. 
“But I know no lad in Damascus.” 

“He inquired for the Israelite maiden 
who is a slave in the house of Naa- 
man,” replied the servant. “ ’Tis 
only a ragged beggar lad,” and the 
servant turned scornfully away. 

Leah passed out of the palace and 
ran down to the great gates. 

Beyond the gates, for the servant 
had not permitted him to enter, stood 
a lad. His coarse garments were 
soiled and torn, his bare feet were cut 

(92) 


The Little Maid of Israel. 93 

and bleeding. The golden light from 
the rising sun fell upon his dark curly 
head. 

Uttering a cry of joy, he ran, with 
outstretched hands, towards the little 
maid. 

“Eeah ! sister ! I have found thee at 
last !” he cried. 

She stood motionless, gazing at him 
with wide, bewildered eyes. 

“Isaac! my brother! is it indeed 
thou?” she cried. 

“Yes, ’tis indeed thy Isaac!” he 
answered. “But, as thou dost see, no 
longer a cripple for Elisha has made 
me whole.” 

“Elisha has made thee whole,” 
she repeated. 

“Yes; listen, and I will tell thee all,” 
said Isaac. “I will speak but briefly 
of the sorrow which did fill our hearts 
when thou wert captured by the Sy- 
rians. Had I not been a helpless 


94 The Little Maid of Israel . 

cripple I would have gone forth to seek 
thee. Then one day our mother called 
our father to her and said, ‘Unless 
thou seeketli help we shall soon have 
no child, for Isaac will die of his grief 
for his sister/ ‘Where and of whom 
shall I seek help V asked our father. 
‘Journey to Samaria and seek the pro- 
phet, Elisha,’ answered our mother. 
‘Tell to him how heavily the hand of 
misfortune has fallen upon our home. 
Beg of him to return with thee and 
heal our son/ 

“So upon the morrow our father 
did borrow the ass of our neighbor 
and set forth upon his journey to Sa- 
maria. In the evening he returned, 
bringing Elisha with him. That 
night, sister, while our parents slept, 
Elisha came and stood beside my 
couch. I felt the touch of his hand 
upon my limbs and I heard his voice 
saying, ‘With the sun thou slialt rise 


The Little Maid of Israel. 95 

from thy couch and walk.’ Then he 
was gone and it seemed to me I had 
but dreamed. When the morning had 
come and the sun had risen, Elisha was 
gone, but I did arise from my couch 
and walk, for I was strong and made 
whole. 

“Then did I set forth to seek thee. 
I was many days in reaching Damas- 
cus. I was often hungry and footsore, 
but I was happy for I was no longer 
a cripple. But yesterday I did pass 
through the gates of Damascus. There 
was great excitement upon the streets. 
The people were shouting and uttering 
cries of joy. I learned that they were 
rejoicing because Naaman, a great Sy- 
rian general and favorite of the king, 
Benhadad, had returned from Samaria 
healed of his leprosy. 

“I asked a woman in the crowd 
who had healed Naaman. ‘A great 
man called Elisha,’ she replied. ‘Tis 


96 The Little Maid of Israel . 

said that Naaman did hear of this 
Elisha through a little Israelite maid 
who is a slave in Naaman’s house- 
hold.’ Oh, dear sister, how I did 
rejoice at her words for I knew then 
that I had found thee. I ain come to 
offer myself as Naaman’s slave that I 
may ransom thee.” 

Eeah put her arms tenderly about 
his neck. 

“ Brother,” she said, “I am no more 
a slave; neither shalt thou nor our 
parents labor, for Naaman has made 
me rich. Oh ! dear brother ! our hearts 
should indeed be filled with gratitude 
to Jehovah, Israel’s God.” 


END. 



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